For 11 years, quilters in the Houston area have joined together to make handmade quilts for homeless families. To date, they have sewn over 1,800 quilts.
In 1996, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day organized the Interfaith Quilting Bee, bringing together quilters of different religions — Latter-day Saints, Presbyterians and Catholics. The quilters are even varied in age, ranging from high school students to grandmothers.
The quilting bee was intended to be a one-time-only project, but the enthusiasm of the quilters caused organizers to make the bee an annual event.
“What was most surprising was how the event resonated immediately with women from numerous congregations,” said Chris Fults, one of the founders of the group. “Many of us recognized that we were forging community bonds while at the same time serving God by serving our neighbors in need.”
Once completed, the quilts are donated to the Interfaith Hospitality Network, a division of the local charity Northwest Assistance Ministries. The group helps over 3,000 families that cannot afford basic needs such as food, education and health care.
Amy Voss-Foster, a member of the Northwoods Presbyterian Church, said, “The bee is the reward, the thank you, the warm fuzzy feeling of dedicating those quilts we have worked on all year to the Interfaith Hospitality Network cause.”